Dec 24, 08 | 11:21 am
By Rita Payne/etn | Dec 24, 2008
Cuba is planning spectacular celebrations in January to mark the 50th
anniversary of the revolution which brought Fidel Castro and his
Communist government to power. Whilst there is almost universal
affection for the ailing Fidel Castro and a reluctance to appear
disloyal to what he has achieved, Cubans are impatient for change.
During a recent visit, some young Cubans were so frustrated and
impatient that they felt the only option was to leave the country. One
student even said he was prepared to go to Haiti.
Views on Fidel's brother, Raul, who is now President, are mixed as many
doubt whether he is willing or able to deliver reforms which are so
badly needed.
Tourism, the biggest revenue earner for Cuba, is likely to remain the
driving force for change and economic development and currently offers
the best career prospects for ambitious young Cubans because of the
access it gives to higher incomes and hard currency. For tourists, the
benefits are also strong. According to Journey Latin America, one of the
UK's leading tour operators in the region, the global credit crunch is
not expected to have too much of an adverse impact on its operations in
Cuba. As Rafe Stone, Product Manager for JLA explained:
" Cuba has its own economy which is generally detached from the dollar,
sterling, or the Euro. Consequently, even in the current financial
climate, we were able to keep our prices for 2009 similar to those in
2008; this, amongst other factors (such as the release of 'Che' the
film) has meant the demand for Cuban holidays has kept high for next
year and as a destination it looks set to remain in the public eye."
Rafe Stone adds, "We are starting to see levels and the standard of
hotels improve in some areas and we hope this continues in 2009. It
would seem that despite having a particularly bad hurricane season last
year the independent, tailor-made and groups markets would appear to be
holding up extremely well against the one-stop charter market."
Cuba is still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by two
of the worst hurricanes to have struck the island in recent years.
Despite a drastic shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables the big tourist
hotels have managed to keep their kitchens well stocked.
The capital, Havana, has plenty to offer tourists: historic buildings
from the Spanish colonial era, any number of memorials to Cuba's
revolutionary heroes, museums, hotels and bars including the famous
Floridita frequented by Ernest Hemingway where tourists queue up to
sample his favourite cocktails such as the daiquiri and mojito.
Hemingway fans can also visit his room in the Ambos Mundos hotel which
has been preserved as a museum displaying his bed, typewriter and other
memorabilia.
A more ubiquitous museum display is the large number of Cadillacs,
Chevrolets and other classic American models, which, as a result of
mechanical wizardry, are still a familiar sight in Havana. Those wishing
to recreate the glamour of the bad old days, when mafia dons dominated
the Cuban capital, can hire one of these classics to cruise along the
Malecon, Havana's famous waterfront. They can visit some of the
reconstructed hotels and casinos dating back to the decadent years
before the revolution when Havana was a playground for rich and famous
Americans
Of course, Cuba wouldn't be Cuba, without salsa music and dancing. At
any time of the day or evening you can hear groups of musicians and
singers giving their rendering of old favourites like "Guantanamera".
Apart from Havana, one can enjoy non-stop salsa in other popular tourist
cities like Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba and small towns.
For those seeking quieter pursuits there are tours of tobacco and sugar
plantations in the picturesque Vinales Valley dotted with dramatic
limestone outcrops. A highlight is a boat trip on a river running
through a cave at Pinar del Rio, where the guide's torch throws
stalagmites and stalagtites into fantastic relief.
Nearby is the eco-resort of Las Terrazas, with its lakes and forests,
which was set up in 1967, long before green tourism became fashionable.
It's also known to Cubans as the home of the later singer Polo Montanez.
It still retains the feel of a community village.
There's a choice of seaside resorts for those hankering for a restful
holiday. The sea is enticingly blue with smooth, white sandy beaches but
tourists are advised to come well-armed with insect repellents if they
want to avoid returning home sporting angry, red mosquito-bites.
Compared to other parts of the world, the range and standard of food in
Cuba, is more limited. Rice, beans, chicken, pork and shrimps are
standard fare with lobsters a welcome addition when available. The best
food can be found in authorised private establishments, paladars, which
give tourists a chance to meet local people. The most famous paladar in
Cuba is La Guarida, which apart from its exquisite cuisine is equally
well known as the setting for an award-winning Cuban film, Fresa y
Chocolate.
According to Miguel Padron a senior government planner, Cuba has the
potential to increase tourism to six million from the current two
million tourists who visit each year. He says, " The government's
strategy is to make visitors aware that Cuba has more to offer apart
from its beaches. It wants to promote Cuba as an island of music and
art. There are also plans to develop rural areas for tourism."
Mr Padron believes that while Cuba is on the threshold of change this
will be managed step by step. He regards Fidel Castro as the visionary
and has faith in Raul. He maintains that although Raul may not be a
strong communicator he gets things done. He acknowledges that the US
embargo has made life hard for Cuba and welcomes support from China and
Russia. He says Cubans are wary of slipping back to pre-revolutionary
conditions in the 1950s when people were greedy, ruthless and there were
glaring inequalities between the rich and the poor.
Hopes are now centred on the new US President-elect, Barack Obama. In an
interview published in December, Raul Castro told the actor Sean Penn
that he would be willing to meet Mr Obama, after he assumes power.
During his campaign, Mr Obama pledged to lift new restrictions imposed
by George Bush on exchanges with Cuba. He also promised to allow
Cuban-Americans to visit the island as often as they like and to send as
much money as they wished to their families there. At the same time Mr
Obama, has said he would not support ending broader economic sanctions
on Cuba until it releases all of its political prisoners and improves
political freedoms. As Cubans enter the New Year they sense that change
is inevitable but for tourists who wish to experience the charm of Cuba
as it is today, this is the best time to go before the political,
economic and cultural landscape changes forever.
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